More violent attacks ahead - Security expert warns

Security Expert with the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) is warning of more violent armed attacks in the country and has called for a more holistic approach in fighting the phenomenon.

Dr Kwasi Aning said the combination of factors, including a "narcotic problem which is getting considerably worse," the proliferation of small arms, increasing number of unemployed youth have made violent armed attacks an easy option for the youth.

He was reacting to the arrest of six suspects said to be behind the gruesome murders of the UK Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Hayford Akrofi and one Prophetess Agnes Koomson all in Accra.

The suspects are believed to be operating in Accra and in Cape Coast.

Outlining the modus operandi of the armed robbers at a press conference on Monday, the Accra Police said the suspects will come to the house, break into the room of the children, hold them hostage, sometimes rape them and use them as bait to get the attention of the parents. They will then kill the parents before robbing them.

According to Accra Region Police Commander, DCOP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, two more suspects are on the run and the police are on the hunt for them.

Joy News' Seth Kwame Boateng said the suspects will be prosecuted first in Accra and will be taken to Cape Coast for another round of prosecution. A relative to the murdered CPP chair, Chester Anie told Joy News the arrest of the suspects is a "consolation" to the family.

He was surprised that "certain things [which] looked attractive [in the residence of Akrofi] were left untouched" after he was brutally gunned down.

Contributing to the matter on Joy News, Dr Aning said the fact that it was only a laptop that was taken after the murder of Mr Akrofi makes it even worrying. "If we put the tag of armed robbery [on these attacks] it narrows the windows for analysis," he stated.

He is surprised that violent attacks have not escalated, adding we should be ready for an increasing spate of violence.

Dr Kwasi Aning said the country must take a second look at how to resolve some of these armed attacks by looking at the motives and rationale for the violent crimes.